Nick Kyrgios, Tommy Paul, and Jack Sock are all familiar faces in Atlanta and all three will contest their first-round matches on Tuesday. Paul and Sock are going head-to-head before Kyrgios kicks off his campaign against Peter Gojowyczk.
(WC) Jack Sock vs. (5) Tommy Paul
There were 13 Americans in the Atlanta Open draw when the tournament started, but there are only two all-American showdowns in the first round. One is a blockbuster matchup between Paul and Sock, who are coming off stellar showings at Wimbledon. Paul made a run to the fourth round (lost to eventual semifinalist Cameron Norrie), while Sock reached the third round as a qualifier (lost to Jason Kubler in five sets).
Surprisingly, these two countrymen have never faced each other at any professional level. Based on current form, Paul should have a slight edge. The 25-year-old is in good position to be seeded at the U.S. Open with a ranking of No. 36 and he has won multiple matches in each of his last three tournaments. Sock, who is 106th in the world and needed a wild card to get direct entry, most recently fell in the Newport second round to Alexander Bublik. The 29-year-old has won just two matches in his last four trips to Atlanta and he is unlikely to add to that total on Tuesday.
Pick: Paul in 3
(Q) Peter Gojowyczk vs. (7) Nick Kyrgios
Which Kyrgios will show up in Atlanta? The Aussie is going from the best result of his career (Wimbledon final) to the first round of an ATP 250, so there is a chance of disinterest. Heck, there is always that chance with Kyrgios. However, he is a former Atlanta champion (2016) and needs ranking points to get seeded at the U.S. Open since Wimbledon did not award any (Kyrgios would have been seeded second in Atlanta if that had been the case). It’s worth noting that Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis won their doubles match on Monday night, so the 27-year-old has nowhere to go even if he loses in singles.
Up first for the world No. 47 on Tuesday night is Gojowyczk, who has been a complete disaster in 2022. The 88th-ranked German at least managed to qualify this week, but he is 2-10 in main-draw, main-tour matches this season. Of course, the outcome of Tuesday’s match is entirely determined by his opponent anyway. Headlining a night session and with no reason to lose early in singles at a tournament he loves, Kyrgios should be motivated enough to win this one with extreme ease.
Pick: Kyrgios in 2
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